[rainfielder]

We just moved to a property with a lot more yard space but about half is a beautiful lawn. I didn't want to start having those familiar brown spots so I was wondering how to train the dogs to use a certain area of the property for their toilet area. I have heard several ideas but wanted to ask if anyone had any suggestions. Right now, they basically just go anywhere.

[CorkyMax]

I posted this to another thread so ignore a few of the words but the main idea should work for you. Go a step further and in the corner you choose--Make it more 'inviting'--Place something they can lift their leg on ----Maybe have a fenced area, decorative (with one side open of course), and make sure it is a big enough corner as sounds like you have a couple/three? dogs who will prob. need to use it at same time. Maybe place a big rock or two in the corner for them to pee on. Make sure you keep some pee/poop in this area until they KNOW this is their potty place--only need a little so make sure and pick up the rest or it may be too much for them to keep going there.

This is a copy of the post I did before:

I assume you want the dog to go outside to do its duty---Take some newspaper with the fresh poo and pee on it and take it outside in a good spot you want your dog to go on. Do this as soon as you catch the dog going in the house or even later if you can't catch in the act--Take the dog (on a leash perhaps) with you to this area you put the newspaper on--Keep repeating and make sure there is this dirtied newspaper there until it gets the idea. LOl, change to new soiled newspaper periodically of course.

Be sure to praise them like it was the best thing in the world and treat them----OUT OF THE POTTY AREA---Dogs don't eat in the same place they potty!

Another thing---It would be great if there was a tree or bush in this corner where they could lift their leg too!

[TheSmartPuppy]

The best method would probably be a modified version of re-housetraining. Go out with them right from the get go, and lead them to the area of the yard you've designated for them, and stay there until they've relieved themselves. When they try to venture "out of bounds," stop them with a sound or a hand gesture. Dogs quickly learn where the boundaries are - but you'll probably have to go out with them for the first little while to enforce it. Gradually remove yourself from the routine (ie, stay at the door and watch - make the sound correction if they look like they're about to cross the line). Praise them when they do it right, too - don't go all out and excited (which is what I was always taught, and it's kind of dumb), but some physical and verbal affection will get the point across. And make sure you clean up the poop regularly and frequently.

Hope this helps! Let me know if it does or if it doesn't.

[rainfielder]

It is my first time on a forum and so far it is a good experience. I love how people jump right in with help and the wonderful thing is that I feel the answers are tried and proven and things that just work I was a little nervous today after reading how a number of people got tossed off for infractions. I reread the rules again. Well, thanks for being so helpful. I am still learning my way around.

[lange]

I'm glad you like the forum. It has helped me a lot too. In my circle of family & friends I don't have a lot of dog lovers so it's nice to find people who feel the same about their kids like I do. I also learn a lot from everyone. There is soo much info here between everyone who participates, it's hard not to learn something new & helpful.

On that note, Nancy (TaraAndTimber) & Corky/Max had posted information & links on the benefits of adding a good, unpasturized apple cider vinegar to a dogs diet. I read that one of the many benefits is that it'll eliminate the acid in the urine, less brown spots! I think it should be a tablespoon a day placed in their dog food for each dog. Hopefully someone can confirm the amount.

[rainfielder]

Thanks so much. I will definately ad the apple cider vinegar. Just heard about the earthquake in Japan. My kids and grandkids are there.